DAYS OF HIS LIFE, DAYS OF OUR LIVES
A documentary in the style of "Investigative Journalism"
Log Line
100 years after passing away I returned with the aim of joining the making of a film, in the "investigative journalism" style. I created Esperanto, the universal language. and I propose using it for better communication, among the people of the world, for the sake of saving the ecology of planet-earth.
L.L. Zamenhof
Abstract
Ludwik Zamenhof, a prominent persona of the Polish Jewry, an ophthalmologist who invented the universal language of Esperanto, passed away a century ago. In those distant days, he never imagined that one day he would return to Earth.
It is the ecological trauma of our world that brings him back.
Being a world-loving humanitarian, he noticed how the ecological crisis does not arise enough interest: as the disaster is closer and worsens the subject is pushed away. Zamenhof is summoned to save the world, and as a first step, he proposes to have the youth of the world learn Esperanto and join forces for the sake of saving the Earth.
Two million people already speak the language and communicate with it. In Zamenhof’s view, the more people speak Esperanto, the more fruitful cooperation will be achieved in order to heal our planet.
Upon his return to Earth, Zamenhof joins an investigative-journalism program, (in CBS's "60 Minutes" style but with a wink and consciousness) and navigates the program towards a worldwide journey. A significant part of the journey takes place via the Internet. He figures it is a first-rate collaborative tool, equal in strength to his Esperanto.
Zamenhof's journey is laden with discoveries and surprises, touching on several topics: The motives for the development of Esperanto, the spread of the language (Japan, China, Brazil, etc.) and its history from its birth until today; The essence of communication and universal languages; The intensity of the ecological crisis and the steps humanity needs to take in order to minimize the damage.
The film begins with Zamenhof's description of the metaphorical events of the Tower of Babel, since they brought about the burden of thousands of languages and mishaps. In the absence of clear communication, misunderstandings proceed in the course of cruel wars and frightening torments. Zamenhof maintained that a bridging language would moderate the inherent aggression of man and bring world peace closer.
A great deal of trouble had piled on his way to the establishment of Esperanto - the universal language, but he would not let go. The work was completed and the language began to spread - but then reached a deadlock. Zamenhof explores why and finds himself probing on the foundations of human language and universal languages. He then locates the interface between language and consciousness and continues to promote the idea of presenting Esperanto as a tool that is used to save the world from the ecological catastrophe that is being realized.
The movie opens with an event that divides people but it ends with an event that unites people, the Esperanto congress that will take place in 2020 in Montreal where Esperantists from all around the world come together.
From there, the 2020 Esperanto congress, the call for the realization of the long-awaited ecological reform will be voiced.
Trailer:
hislifeourlives@vimeo